Sambutan terhebat wira negara

Oleh ABDUL HAFIZ AHMAD
hafiz.ahmad@utusan.com.my

ARKITEK kejayaan Malaysia pada Piala Suzuki AFF, jurulatih K. Rajagobal dihujani ucapan tahniah daripada penyokong Malaysia yang menyambut ketibaan skuad negara dari Jakarta di KLIA, Sepang semalam.

SEPANG - Lebih 2,000 peminat bola sepak negara dari segenap lapisan, hadir dan rela berasak-asak untuk memberikan 'sambutan wira' yang luar biasa sekembalinya skuad bimbingan K. Rajagobal dari Jakarta di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA), Sepang, semalam.

Sebahagian besarnya tetap menunggu dengan penuh sabar di Balai Ketibaan KLIA sejak pukul 12 tengah hari lagi, walaupun waktu ketibaan penerbangan MH0710 yang dinaiki skuad negara tiba lewat lebih sejam daripada yang dijadualkan pada mulanya, 2.10 petang.

Ramai yang enggan melepaskan peluang untuk menyaksikan serta merakamkan gambar dari dekat, detik bersejarah ketibaan skuad juara Piala Suzuki AFF 2010 itu yang hanya keluar ke Balai Ketibaan kira-kira pukul 4.15 petang.

Malah kebanyakannya hadir dengan memakai jersi Harimau Malaya, sama ada yang berwarna kuning hitam mahupun biru merah selain membawa Jalur Gemilang dan tidak ketinggalan segelintir yang membawa replika trofi Piala Suzuki AFF, selain menyanyikan pelbagai lagu termasuk 'Barisan Kita'.

Ada juga yang sempat menghulurkan salam dan menyentuh badan pemain dan pegawai pasukan, manakala yang tidak dapat berbuat begitu kerana terpaksa berasak-asak, sekadar melaungkan ucapan tahniah dan terima kasih, khususnya kepada Rajagobal dan Penjaring Terbanyak kejohanan, Safee Sali.

Turut mengiringi ketibaan skuad negara seramai 20 pemain di samping jurulatih Rajagobal, penolongnya, Tan Cheng Hoe dan Faozi Mukhlas serta pengurus pasukan, Datuk Subahan Kamal ialah Timbalan Presiden Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM), Tan Sri Annuar Musa dan Setiausaha Agung FAM, Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad.

Beberapa pemain yang sempat menayangkan dan menjulang Piala Suzuki AFF di KLIA juga disambut dan diberikan ucapan tahniah oleh Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek dan Timbalannya, Datuk Razali Ibrahim yang bagaimanapun tiba dengan penerbangan berasingan.

Namun kehadiran luar biasa penyokong Harimau Malaya memaksa pihak keselamatan KLIA dan polis bergegas mengadakan kawalan untuk menghalang mereka yang cuba menyerbu skuad negara yang terus diiringi ke sebuah pentas khas bagi sesi bergambar, sebelum berlepas ke Wisma FAM, Kelana Jaya dengan menaiki bas.

Biarpun tiada sebarang kejadian tidak diingini berlaku, ramai wakil media massa khususnya jurugambar dan jurukamera TV terpaksa ditolak, bagi memberikan laluan sehingga sesi temu bual atau sidang akhbar yang dirancang dengan pasukan dan orang kenamaan di Balai Ketibaan, terpaksa dibatalkan.

Malaysia menjulang Piala Suzuki AFF buat kali pertama sejak kejohanan ini diperkenalkan pada 1996 (dengan nama asal, Piala Tiger) setelah menang agregat 4-2 ke atas Indonesia biarpun tewas 2-1 dalam perlawanan akhir kedua di Stadium Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta, kelmarin.

Dalam perlawanan akhir pertama di Stadium Nasional, Bukit Jalil, Ahad lalu, Harimau Malaya merebahkan Sang Garuda 3-0 hasil dua jaringan Safee dan Ashari Samsudin, malah mengukuhkan kedudukan pendahuluan itu di Jakarta, semalam dengan gol tunggal pada minit ke-55.

Anak buah Rajagobal turut membawa pulang ganjaran kejuaraan, AS$100,000 (kira-kira RM300,000) biarpun sepatutnya salah seorang pemain negara, menambahnya secara peribadi jika bukan Firman Utama dari Indonesia yang gagal menyudahkan sepakan penalti, dipilih sebagai Pemain Paling Bernilai kejohanan.

Garuda akhirnya akur kekalahan kepada Malaysia

Daripada SAHARUDIN MUSTHAFA
saharudin.musthafa@utusan.com.my

JAKARTA - Selepas ghairah menyiarkan laporan berbaur provokasi, media Indonesia mula menerima hakikat kekalahan pasukan mereka kepada Malaysia dalam perlawanan akhir Piala Suzuki AFF di sini kelmarin, apabila menyiarkan laporan seimbang.

Akhbar Kompas dalam laporan muka depannya menasihati skuad Indonesia agar mengambil pengajaran daripada kejayaan pasukan Malaysia.

Menerusi tajuk berita 'Jangan Malu Untuk Belajar', akhbar berpengaruh itu memberitahu, Indonesia tidak perlu malu belajar daripada kejayaan Malaysia melakar sejarah yang cukup bermakna itu.

Kata akhbar berkenaan juga, kejayaan Malaysia meraih juara Piala Suzuki AFF 2010 disebabkan persiapan awal yang dilakukan pasukan berkenaan.

Kompas juga melaporkan, rasa kecewa terhadap kegagalan tersebut jelas terpancar pada wajah pemain, pengurus dan pengurusan Persatuan Sepak Bola Seluruh Indonesia (PSSI).

"Raut wajah mengungkap sejuta rasa, meskipun para pemain membisu saat berjalan menuju ke bilik persalinan. Para pemain berjalan lesu dengan wajah murung," lapor Kompas.

Bagi akhbar The Jakarta Post pula, kejayaan Malaysia merangkul anugerah tersebut sekali gus mencatat sejarah yang cukup manis bagi negara itu.

"Biarpun Indonesia menang dengan jaringan gol 2-1 kepada Malaysia di gelanggang sendiri, ia masih belum cukup untuk membolehkan Indonesia memenangi kejohanan ini. Sebaliknya, kemenangan Indonesia hanya membuka ruang buat Malaysia melakar sejarah," kata akhbar itu dalam laporan muka depannya hari ini.

Kejayaan skuad Harimau Malaya di bawah bimbingan jurulatih K. Rajagobal itu pula dirumuskan akhbar Media Indonesia sebagai 'mengukuhkan lagi kedudukan Malaysia sebagai pasukan yang berjaya di rantau Asia Tenggara'.

"Bagi Malaysia, trofi itu mengukuhkan diri mereka sebagai yang berjaya di Asia Tenggara dalam setahun terakhir setelah pada tahun 2009 mereka meraih pingat emas di sukan SEA," lapor akhbar tersebut.

Akhbar berkenaan juga memberikan pujian terhadap penjaga gol Malaysia, Khairul Fahmi yang disifatkan sebagai bijak menangkis serangan Indonesia.

"Tercatat tujuh kali percubaan tepat ke arah gawang Malaysia, namun kukuhnya gawang yang dijaga oleh Khairul Fahmi menjadikan serangan-serangan pemain Indonesia ibarat cuba menerobos tembok yang kebal," katanya lagi.

Kecemerlangan Khairul turut mendapat perhatian akhbar Jakarta Globe khususnya ketika pemain itu berjaya menepis percubaan pemain Indonesia, Firman Utiman pada tendangan penalti. - Utusan

Tottenham Hotspur will resist any poaching of their popular Croatian midfielder Luka Modric, here signing autographs at the Euro 2008 tournament in Oberwart, Austria, June 17, 2008. — Reuters pic

ENGLAND

All eyes will be on Manchester City as the window opens, with Roberto Mancini expected to add more firepower to a squad who have emerged as genuine contenders for the Premier League title.

Edin Dzeko, Wolfsburg's Bosnian striker, is top of their shopping list, with Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz likely to depart, most probably on loan.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and Manchester United's Alex Ferguson are not keen on signing players in January, but Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur could both be active, with Robbie Keane expected to leave Spurs.

Chelsea's squad look stretched, and Carlo Ancelotti will be in the market for flair and goals, although any attempt to sign Tottenham's Croatian Luka Modric would be strongly resisted.

Bottom club West Ham United have identified several targets to help their cause, with Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell, Everton striker Yakubu and Tottenham's Keane possible captures.

Liverpool's new owners will be under pressure to spend as Roy Hodgson's side continue to slide.

ITALY

Ronaldinho is set to be the biggest departure from Serie A, with his former Brazilian club Gremio keen to take him from AC Milan. The former world player of the year, whose form has declined rapidly in the past five seasons, has mainly been a substitute under new coach Massimiliano Allegri and, with his Milan contract up in June, the league leaders may cash in now.

Italy forward Antonio Cassano will sign for Milan from Sampdoria, making it more likely Ronaldinho will leave.

A long-term injury to Filippo Inzaghi and fitness worries over Alexandre Pato mean the Rossoneri may want another striker but Genoa have denied contact over Luca Toni.

Champions Inter Milan, in seventh, have already rewarded new coach Leonardo with Genoa centre back Andrea Ranocchia and a forward or midfielder such as Chievo's Kevin Constant could follow.

Juventus are searching for a striker, with Fiorentina's Alberto Gilardino the latest to be linked to the Turin club in the media while Lazio are interested in Manchester City's forgotten forward Roque Santa Cruz.

The future of Gianluigi Buffon is also uncertain and they could decide to cash in, with stand-in keeper Marco Storari impressing during Buffon's layoff.

SPAIN

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has made it clear he would like another striker as cover for Argentinian Gonzalo Higuain, whose back injury may require surgery and could sideline him for a couple of months.

However, club officials have been guarded about the idea, and the Portuguese may be forced to deploy compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo at centre forward, with fit-again Brazil playmaker Kaka playing just behind and Mesut Ozil and Angel Di Maria providing width and creativity on either flank.

France striker Karim Benzema is another option for the centre-forward role.

Barcelona have strengthened their squad with Netherlands attacking midfielder Ibrahim Afellay, and sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta has said the league leaders are not planning to make anymore purchases in January.

In an otherwise quiet La Liga transfer market, Atletico Madrid completed the purchase of Brazil midfielder Elias, and have loaned goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo and sold midfielder Ignacio Camacho to struggling Malaga.

GERMANY

VfB Stuttgart are expected to be active in the transfer market as they attempt to climb out of the relegation zone under Bruno Labbadia, their third coach of the season.

They finished the first half of the season with consecutive heavy defeats at home to Bayern Munich — 5-3 in the Bundesliga and 6-3 in the German Cup. Japanese forward Shinji Okazaki has been named as one target.

Bayern are not expected to go wild, with striker Mario Gomez having found his scoring touch, Franck Ribery back from injury, and Arjen Robben also set to return to the side.

There is speculation linking them with Swiss teenage winger Xherdan Shaquiri, though he is likely to be an investment for the future.

The champions are also reported to be chasing Hoffenheim's Brazilian midfielder Luiz Gustavo, another indication that Mark van Bommel's days at the club could be numbered.

Schalke, who signed Real Madrid striker Raul during the summer, are now reported to be chasing defender Ezequiel Garay from the same club.

Bottom club Borussia Moenchengladbach have moved to bolster their defence by signing Austrian Martin Stranzl from Spartak Moscow and Norwegian youth international Havard Nordtveit from Arsenal.

FRANCE

Lille have reportedly received an offer from Liverpool for Ivory Coast international Gervinho, who has been one of the club's key players this season.

The league leaders are also seeking to reinforce their defence and have shown interest in former Lyon and Portsmouth left back Nadir Belhadj, who plays in Qatar.

Belhadj, 28, would make up for the departure of Adil Rami, who is expected to sign for Spanish club Valencia during the window before joining La Liga at the end of the season.

At Olympique Lyon, question marks surround midfielder Jean II Makoun, who is regularly booed by his own supporters and has been linked with a move to Aston Villa or Tottenham Hotspur.

Bordeaux captain Alou Diarra has also been linked with a transfer to the Premier League, possibly to Manchester City, even though club president Jean-Louis Triaud has been lukewarm on that idea.

Lorient striker Kevin Gameiro, who has voiced his desire to leave the Breton club, could become a target for many Ligue 1 clubs, while at 17th-placed Monaco, everything will depend on the fate of under-fire coach Guy Lacombe. — Reuters

Kevin Garnett leaves the court after a possible leg injury in Boston Celtics' match against the Detroit Pistons in Michigan, December 29, 2010. — Reuters pic

Garnett suffered the injury in the Celtics' 104-92 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, and there were initial fears he could be out for a longer period if his right knee was hurt, but subsequent tests came back negative.

"Kevin had an MRI and a thorough examination," Celtics president Danny Ainge said on the team's website.

"It's a muscle injury, a strained calf. It's actually the muscle just off the side of the leg, just below the knee, and it's not anything to do with his knee, which is great news.

"It's one of those injuries that, you know, he may be out for a couple of weeks, at the most, I would say."

The 16-year veteran was averaging 15.4 points and 9.8 rebounds coming into Wednesday's game.

The Celtics (24-6) have the best record in the Eastern Conference despite playing without injured starting point guard Rajon Rondo and centre Kendrick Perkins, who has been sidelined for the whole season following knee surgery. — Reuters

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID,JAKARTA -- Sigit Pamungkas keluar dari Pelatnas Cipayung untuk mundur dari posisinya sebagai pelatih ganda putra. Sigit memilih fokus melatih ganda andalan Indonesia, Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan, menjelang Olimpiade London 2012. Dia ingin mempertahankan tradisi emas pada pesta olahraga dunia tersebut.

Pada Olimpiade 2008 Beijing, Sigit sukes mengantar Kido/Hendra meraih medali emas. Sigit juga berperan ketika ganda yang menduduki peringkat tiga dunia tersebut mempersembahkan medali emas pada ajang Asian Games 2010 Guangzhou pada November lalu.

Ricky Subagja, mantan pebulu tangkis ganda putra Indonesia yang meraih medali emas Olimpiade Atlanta 1996 bersama Rexy Mainaky, disebut-sebut akan menggantikan posisi Sigit. Namun, Pengurus Besar Persatuan Bulu Tangkis Seluruh Indonesia (PBSI) membantah kabar tersebut.

"Itu masih wacana saja. Kita juga harus melihat apakah tahun depan kita membutuhkan tambahan pelatih," kata Sekretaris Jendral PB PBSI, Jacob Rusdiyanto.

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID,PARIS - Nicolas Kiefer, petenis Jerman yang pernah menduduki peringkat empat dunia dan sekarang 722 dunia, mengumumkan bahwa dia pensiun dari tenis dalam usia 33 tahun. Dia memutuskan untuk gantung raket karena cedera yang terus menderanya.

"Setelah lama merenung, saya memutuskan untuk mengakhiri karier profesional saya," kata Kiefer dalam laman resmi dia.

Kiefer menambahkan bahwa dia ingin menghabiskan waktunya bersama bayi perempuannya, Mabelle Emilienne, yang lahir pada 11 Agustus lalu.

Kiefer menekuni tenis profesional pada 1995 dan memenangi enam gelar ATP, termasuk Hong Kong dan Dubai pada 2000. Dia merebut medali perak bersama rekan senegaranya Rainer Schuettler pada nomor ganda tenis Olimpiade 2004 Athena.

Pada beberapa tahun terakhir, Kiefer jarang bermain karena cedera pergelangan tangan.

LEON: Has been seeing some action on the pitch lately

Jose Mourinho's men are favourites to win this one, of course. But then Getafe are enjoying a good run thus far this season — they are now seventh in the standings and would love to stun Los Blancos to consolidate their position.

Real winger Pedro Leon, understandably underlined the importance of beating Getafe. This is simply because Real are second behind leaders and champions Barcelona in the table.

And Real are hoping to start 2011 with a victory as well to continue pressuring the in-form Catalans. And Leon is also looking forward to playing against his old club.

"It's important that we prepare well after the holidays," he told Real's website. "We want to be fit on Monday to take three points against Getafe. Everyone knows I am a Getafe Club Member and follower, and I always want them to win except against Real. It will be another match we should win and I hope we take three points."

The only problem now is whether Leon will take the field in the first place with the quality Real have in the squad. He must be praying hard since Christmas — hoping to see action against his old club. It's something special for him naturally to get the chance to show what he can do here.

The good factor for Leon is he has seen some action of late unlike when he first arrived at Santiago Bernabeu last summer. Wonder how the Getafe fans will react if he plays...interesting. Barca, on the other hand, will host struggling Levante at Nou Camp on Monday (1am).

The Catalans, with Lionel Messi and all are hot favourites to get another three points in their bid to retain the title. It is now the question of by how many goals. Oh yes...Barca have a new signing in Holland international winger Ibrahim Afellay.

But their fans must wait for some time to see him in action as manager Josep "Pep" Guardiola is unlikely to play him so soon and without much training with the rest of the squad. Anyway, striker Bojan Krkic welcomed Afellay with open arms. Afellay is a versatile player and Bojan believes he is a good addition to the squad.

"I have said hello, but we can't speak to each other because I don't speak English or French," Bojan told Barca's website. "But I do know that he's a good player, and anybody like him is more than welcome here."

So it's sign language at work! Bojan and his problem aside, another striker, David Villa warned the hunger for success at the club is as strong as ever, and he wants to win every title possible in the shirt of the Blaugrana. This spells trouble for their opponents.

The former Valencia man has been an almost instant success since his summer switch to Nou Camp.

"We all know the potential we have as a team, but in the last month the level of play and our results have been very good. The truth is that the media have already said everything about our displays. The confidence I have in my colleagues is total, so hopefully this can continue much longer," he told Sport.

"We depend only on ourselves to maintain this performance, and I think we are ready for it. We have what it takes to continue this level until the end of the season. Being in this team is a privilege for any player.

"I think overall that it is very important that his group remains hungry for victory and to win. We have people that, although we have won everything, have an enormous capacity and desire to remain above all. All this helps the development of what we are doing."

Oh yes... legend Diego Maradona's grandson has already shown talent runs in the family — as he's a hotshot at just 22 months. Benjamin Aguero Maradona can be seen online practising impressive skills with his feet and hands.

He is Maradona's first grandchild by daughter Giannina, 21, and Atletico Madrid star and Argentina international striker Sergio "Kun" Aguero. Aguero posted the clip on his website.

And on it, Benjamin shows good dribbling skills, control and powerful shots. And he spends a lot of time using his hands — just like his granddad who scored the infamous "Hand of God" goal against England in the World Cup in 1986.

"Benjamin likes to play a lot. I must admit it's in his blood. When it comes to choosing toys, the ball is his favourite so we can play together. He kicks it hard for his age," said Aguero.

"Kun 2" has all the potential to be another legend. Prospero Ano Nuevo and adios!

LONDON: Manchester United's Darren Fletcher dismissed Manchester City assistant manager Brian Kidd's claim that the title is the Red Devils to lose as nothing more than "kidology".

Kidd made the comment after assessing a table that has his old club ahead of his current one by goal difference alone, but crucially also with two matches in hand.

But similar statements about Chelsea came out of City earlier this season, when it was felt manager Roberto Mancini was merely trying to take the pressure off his own team. And Fletcher is not taking any notice of what Kidd has to say now.

"It is just a bit of kidology," he said. "It is still early stages and a lot of teams will feel they are capable of winning the league. We are one of them.

"We are in a good position. We are top of the league with games in hand.

"But it is easy counting the points. You have to win your matches and your games in hand. This is the important part of the season when you really need to kick-on.

"After January, when all the big games come on the title run-in, that is when it is important to be playing well and winning games."

Indeed, Fletcher views City as one of the most serious threats to United's attempt to reclaim their championship and register a record 19th success.

It might not sit comfortable with the United faithful but there is little doubt that a decent portion of the vast amount of cash that has been invested by Sheikh Mansour has been spent wisely.

"City are realistic title challengers," said Fletcher. "They are there. They are top of the league with us just now. "They are winning games and look solid defensively.

"When you have that much money to spend and sign that many quality players, they are going to be a threat."

Having secured top spot heading into 2011 but failed to actually win at Birmingham on Tuesday, United still have questions of their own to answer when they head to West Brom on New Year's Day.

Fletcher's return is anticipated among a number of changes to a side Alex Ferguson retained from Boxing Day, with the exception of Park Ji-sung, who is on Asian Cup duty with South Korea.

Yet even since the draw at St Andrew's, achieved through a controversial late equaliser from Lee Bowyer, there have been further shocks. Liverpool's home defeat to Wolves has placed further question marks over manager Roy Hodgson's future, while Arsenal failed to capitalise on United's misfortune when they were unable to beat Wigan.

"It has been a strange season," said Fletcher. "There were signs of it last year, when there were some unexpected results and a lot more points dropped.

"It is more competitive from top to bottom. The likes of Bolton and Sunderland have improved and Tottenham and City have got into the Champions League places.

"The league is definitely getting stronger, as a result of which you are seeing a lot more dropped points," said the Scotland skipper.

"Saya memang sudah menyangka Firman Utina akan melakukan tendangan ke arah kiri. Ini karena pelatih Rajagobal sejak semula sudah memberitahu saya bahwa dia senang melakukan tendangan ke arah itu," ujar Fahmi Che Mat.

Fahmi Che Mat mengutarakan ini di Bandara Soekarno Hatta Kamis petang ketika hendak kembali ke Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Penyelamatan Fahmi tersebut adalah aksi gemilang yang menyelamatkan gawang Malaysia dirobek penalti Firman pada menit ke-19 dalam pertandingan yang berlangsung ketat.

Dia mengaku cukup tenang ketika pemain lawan mengeksekusi penalti karena berpegang pada nasihat Rajagobal.

"Pelatih (Rajagobal) telah mengkaji sepakan penalti yang dilakukan oleh Firman dan pemain Indonesia yang lain, dan itu jelas membantu saya," kata sang kiper Malaysia ini.

"Saya bersyukur karena dugaan saya tepat, sekaligus mementahkan hasrat Indonesia untuk meraih gol awal karena saya sadar jika mereka unggul, situasi mungkin akan berubah dan memberikan mereka lebih bersemangat untuk bangkit," jelasnya seperti dikutip Utusan Malaysia online.

Mengenai sinar laser, dia mengaku tidak terganggu dengan gangguan psikologis pendukung tim Indonesia itu.

"Memang agak sedikit mengganggu penglihatan, tetapi mental dan fokus saya tetap kepada pertandingan, walau apapun yang mereka coba lakukan," katanya.

"Saya sama sekali tidak terpikir akan membuat tindakan untuk meminta pertandingan dihentikan seperti yang pernah dilakukan oleh penjaga gawang Indonesia, Markus Harison," demikian Fahmi Che Mat.(*)

ANT/AR09

"Setelah lama merenung, saya memutuskan untuk mengakhiri karir profesional saya," kata Kiefer dalam laman resmi dia.

Dia menambahkan ingin menghabiskan waktunya bersama bayi perempuan dia, Mabelle Emilienne, yang lahir 11 Agustus lalu.

Kiefer menekuni tenis profesional pada 1995 dan memenangi enam gelar ATP, termasuk Hong Kong dan Dubai pada tahun 2000.

Pada 2004, dia merebut medali perak bersama rekan senegaranya Rainer Schuettler pada nomor ganda tenis Olimpiade Athena.

Dia jarang bermain pada beberapa tahun terakhir karena cedera pergelangan tangan.(*)

AFP/I015/Z002

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP): England cricket coach Andy Flower wants his Ashes victors to refocus for the fifth test in Sydney and finish the tour on a winning note, and not to believe that his team can't accomplish more.

Speaking a day after England completed an innings and 157-run win in the fourth test to ensure it holds the Ashes, Flower said Thursday that "it's far too early to feel satisfied."

England leads the series 2-1, marking the first time since the 1986-87 season that they have retained the Ashes in Australia. The fifth test begins Monday.

Flower said the celebrations in the Melbourne Cricket Ground changerooms on Wednesday were memorable and noted some players were "conspicuous by their absence" for breakfast on Thursday morning at the team hotel.

"But we also will realize there's a lot of cricket ahead on this tour and there's a lot of cricket left to be played in this fifth test," Flower said. "We came out here to win the series and we'll be doing everything we can to do that."

He said the Ashes was one step in a long-term ambition of winning the limited-overs World Cup beginning in February and becoming the world's No. 1 test team. "There are a lot of things out there for us to aim for," Flower said.

The team had the day off Thursday after wrapping up the Melbourne test in four days. "They can enjoy each other's success and each other's company for a little period of time in the sanctuary of the dressing room and the families joined us for a short time," Flower said.

"I know the guys enjoyed having their loved ones around them, too, to share it with. We celebrated yesterday and it's time to move on now."

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP): Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first in the third Twenty20 cricket match against New Zealand on Thursday.

New Zealand has already won the three-match series, taking the first two matches by five wickets and 39 runs, respectively.

Both teams made two changes to their lineups for Thursday's match, Pakistan naming Abdur Rehman and Tanvir Ahmed in place of Umar Akmal and Shoaib Akhtar.

New Zealand restored the lineup it used in the first match of the series, choosing Adam Milne and Dean Brownlie in place of Luke Woodcock and Ian Butler.

MANCHESTER – Manchester City masih malu-malu mengungkapkan upayanya mendatangkan Edin Dzeko dari VfL Wolfsburg tengah musim ini.

Asisten manejer Brian Kidd yang diberondong pertanyaan tentang Dzeko menyatakan bahwa semua itu masih sebatas spekulasi. Dia juga menjelaskan bahwa segala keputusan transfer sepenuhnya ada ditangan Roberto Mancini sebagai pelatih.

"Untuk saat ini semuanya masih spekulasi karena bursa transfer belum dibuka. Itu hanya cerita biasa dan banyak pemain yang menerima perlakukan serupa," ujar Kidd seperti dikutip Goal, Jumat (31/12/2010).

"Yang bisa saya katakan hanyalah keputusan transfer sepenuhnya ada di tangan Mancini," sambungnya.

Sheikh Mansour Emperor sendiri sebelumnya sempat disebut-sebut telah mengajukan tawaran sebesar 30 juta poundsterling untuk Dzeko. Penyerang asal Bosnia Herzegovina bahkan digadang akan langsung mengenakan seragam The Sky Blues begitu tengat masa perpindahan pemain sesi kedua resmi dibuka pada awal Januari.
(msy)

MILAN – Inter Milan mencuatkan ide pertukaran pemain jelang pembukaan bursa transfer musim dingin. Mereka hendak membuang Davide Santon dan menggaet Cristian Zaccardo dari Parma.

Cederanya sejumlah pemain bertahan memaksa Nerazzurri mencari amunisi baru. Meskipun sudah mendapatkan Andrea Ranocchia, mereka ternyata masih belum tenang.

Demi mengantisipasi kemungkinan terburuk, kini mereka berniat mendatangkan Zaccardo. La Gazetta dello Sport, Jumat (31/12/2010) melaporkan La Beneamata ingin meminjam pemain multiposisi (center bek dan full bek) tersebut dari Parma dan sebagai timbal balik mereka akan merelakan Santon.

Hingga saat ini kabar tersebut masih samar-samar. Terlebih, presiden klub Massimo Moratti sempat menyatakan keyakinannya terhadap komposisi pemain yang sudah ada.

"Saya percaya dengan kekuatan yang ada sekarang, namun saya bukan pelatih. Jika ada yang harus dilakukan, maka kami akan melakukannya," ujar Moratti. (msy)

'Terpulang kepada coach'

KAPTEN skuad kebangsaan pada Piala Suzuki AFF 2010, Safiq Rahim menyerahkan sepenuhnya kepada jurulatih K. Rajagobal sama ada mahu dia terus kekal menggalas tugas tersebut, lapor WAN FAKHRUL BAKAR.

Biarpun baru memakai lilitan lengan selaku ketua pasukan pada Sukan Asia 2010 di Guangzhou, China bulan lalu, Safiq, 23, telah mencipta sejarah tersendiri.

Namun, timbul persoalan sama ada Rajagobal akan terus memberikan peranan tersebut kepada Safiq atau memulangkan semula lilitan lengan kepada Aidil Zafuan Radzak atau Norhafiz Zamani Misbah.

Aidil, 23, sebelum ini merupakan pemain yang sering diberi peranan kapten jika Zamani, 29, tidak dipanggil Rajagobal.

Kecederaan panjang kedua- dua pemain pertahanan tengah itu telah membuka ruang buat Safiq bergelar kapten baru di samping Norshahrul Idlan Talaha sebagai penolong kapten.

"Kekal sebagai kapten atau tidak, itu saya tak boleh nak komen. Keputusan itu terletak di tangan coach (jurulatih).

"Saya bersedia jika dikekalkan sebagai kapten kerana memiliki pengalaman pada Sukan Asia 2010 dan Piala Suzuki AFF.

"Tetapi apa yang lebih penting adalah kerjasama sepasukan oleh semua pemain dalam skuad ini," katanya ketika ditemui Kosmo! semalam.

Dalam pada itu, tiada istilah rehat buat Safiq dan lima lagi pe- main kebangsaan iaitu Safee Sali, Amri Yahyah, Asraruddin Putra Omar, Amirulhadi Zainal dan Razman Roslan.

Mereka akan terbang pula ke Perth, Australia esok untuk lati- han pramusim skuad Liga Super Selangor selama sembilan hari sebelum Liga Malaysia 2011 bermula 29 Januari depan.

Media Indonesia akur kehebatan skuad negara

JAKARTA - Setelah muka depan akhbar harian dan rancangan di saluran televisyen Indo- nesia saban hari sarat dengan berita skuad bola sepak kebangsaan negara itu, segalanya berubah wajah semalam.

Ia susulan kegagalan pasukan Indonesia menjuarai Piala Suzuki AFF 2010 setelah tunduk 2-4 secara agregat kepada Malaysia malam kelmarin.

Saluran-saluran televisyen Indonesia yang sebelum ini sepanjang masa menyiarkan lintas langsung kemeriahan menjelang aksi final kedua di Stadium Utama Gelora Bung Karno kini kembali menyiarkan rancangan asal masing-masing.

Manakala laporan sukan yang berjaya mencuri tempat di muka depan akhbar-akhbar utama Indonesia sejak lebih seminggu lalu kembali kepada laporan berita biasa setelah kegagalan skuad Garuda itu.

Hanya dua akhbar Indonesia semalam yang tampil memaparkan laporan dan gambar mengenai final kedua Piala Suzuki AFF 2010 pada halaman muka depan mereka iaitu Kompas dan The Jakarta Post.

Akhbar Kompas meletakkan tajuk 'Jangan Malu Untuk Belajar' berserta gambar skuad Malaysia meraikan kejuaraan selepas menjulang trofi malam kelmarin.

Laporan tersebut menyatakan bahawa Indo- nesia tidak perlu malu untuk belajar daripada kejayaan Malaysia melakar sejarah muncul juara buat kali pertama.

Akhbar The Jakarta Post pula laporan muka depannya bertajuk 'Malaysia win makes history' (Kemenangan Malaysia cipta sejarah), juga berserta gambar pasukan meraikan kejuaraan.

Lain-lain akhbar kembali meletakkan laporan Piala Suzuki AFF di halaman sukan mereka tetapi rata-ratanya tidak terlepas daripada mencemburui kehebatan penjaga gol Malaysia, Khairul Fahmi Che Mat.

"Bagi Malaysia, trofi itu mengukuhkan mereka sebagai pasukan paling berjaya di Asia Tenggara dalam setahun terakhir ini setelah meraih pingat emas di Sukan SEA 2009," lapor akhbar Media Indonesia.

Tambah akhbar itu lagi: "Terdapat tujuh tendangan pemain Indonesia ke arah gawang skuad bimbingan K. Rajagobal itu. Namun, kecemerlangan Khairul Fahmi menjadikannya ibarat cuba menerobos tembok yang kebal."

Akhbar Jakarta Globe juga memuji kecemer- langan Khairul Fahmi yang menyelamatkan sepakan penalti Firman Utina serta beberapa serangan berbahaya Indonesia.

"Kita (Indonesia) kehilangan banyak peluang. Sekurang-kurangnya kita mampu memperoleh lima atau enam gol pada final kedua ini," kata jurulatih Indonesia, Alfred Reidl dipetik dari Jakarta Globe.

Jumat, 31/12/2010 02:11 WIB

Messi, Argentina Nomor 10 Terbaik
Narayana Mahendra Prastya - detiksport

Selama ini Argentina dikenal melahirkan sejumlah pemain pengatur serangan, sebut saja Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Juan Riquelme, atau Juan Sebastian Veron.

Dilansir dari Buenos Aires Herald, presiden asosiasi sepakbola Argentina (AFA) Julio Grondona menilai bahwa keempat pemain itu ibarat berasal dari planet lain.

Pria kelahiran 18 September 1931 itu juga memuji kualitas nama-nama lain seperti Antonio Sastre, José Manuel Moreno, Gerardo Martino, Ricardo Bochini, José Sanfilippo, dan Angel Labruna

Lalu siapa yang terbaik di antara mereka? "Lionel Messi adalah pemain nomor 10 (playmaker) terbaik di sepanjang sejarah sepakbola Argentina," kata Grondona.

Ucapan Grondona ini sekaligus "menepikan" Diego Maradona, bintang sekaligus pemain legendaris Albiceleste yang berhasil mengantar tim Tango juara dunia 1986.

Boleh jadi penilaian Grondona soal siapa yang terbaik, didasari oleh masalah pribadi antara dirinya dengan Maradona. Dilansir dari Yahoosports, ketua AFA itu menyebut bahwa "Si Tangan Tuhan" masih bermasalah dengan obat-obatan terlarang hingga saat ini.

Hal ini membuat Maradona berang dan mengadukan Grondona ke pengadilan. Pelatih Argentina di Piala Dunia 2010 itu sendiri menegaskan bahwa dalam enam tahun terakhir ini dirinya sudah bersih dari alkohol dan narkoba.

Foto: Lionel Messi saat membela Argentina menghadapi Korea Selatan di Piala Dunia 2010 di Stadion Soccer City, Johannesburg, 17 Juni 2010 (Getty Images)

( nar / din )

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Jumat, 31/12/2010 01:26 WIB

D'Alessandro Pemain Latin Terbaik 2010
Doni Wahyudi - detiksport

Dikutip dari Reuters, D'Alessandro mendapat suara terbanyak dalam sebuah voting yang dilakukan terhadap 400 wartawan olahraga di kawasan latin. Dia mengalahkan rekan senegaranya, Sebastian Veron, dan bintang muda Brasil, Nilmar.

Adalah sukses mengantar Internacional menjuarai Piala Libertadores yang membuat D'Alessandro mendapat penghargaan bergengsi tersebut. Sayangnya pesepakbola 29 tahun tersebut tak mampu memberi klubnya gelar Piala Dunia Antarklub karena mereka kalah mengejutkan di babak semifinal.

D'Alessandro bergabung dengan Internacional pada tahun 2008 setelah sebelumnya sempat bermain di Wolfsburg, Portsmouth dan Real Saragoza dan San Lorenzo. Digadang-gadang sebagai calon bintang baru Argentina di awal kemunculannya, jebolan River Plate itu bahkan tak masuk skuad Tango di Piala Dunia 2006 dan 2010.

Sementara itu, meraih gelar pelatih latin terbaik adalah Oscar Tabarez. Penghargaan tersebut dianggap pantas dia terima setelah sukses mengantar Uruguay masuk semifinal Piala Dunia 2010. Tabarez mengalahkan Marcelo Bielsa (pelatih Chile) di posisi dua dan Alejandro Sabella (Estudiantes) di urutan tiga.

Penghargaan pemain latin terbaik dihelat oleh harian kenamaan Uruguay, El Pais dan mendapat pengakuan dari Asosiasi Sepakbola Amerika Selatan (CSF). Mulai digelar sejak tahun 1986, penghargaan ini hanya diberikan pada mereka yang berkiprah di negara-negara latin.

( din / nar )

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MANCHESTER, KOMPAS.com - Manajer Manchester United, Alex Ferguson, menilai anak didiknya, Wayne Rooney mengalami peningkatan performa signifikan dan akan kembali menjadi penyerang paling mematikan di Inggris dalam waktu dekat.

Musim lalu, Rooney mengakhiri musim dengan torehan 26 gol dan tiga assist dari 32 penampilan di Premier League. Namun, di Premier League musim ini, ia baru mencetak satu gol dan enam assist dalam delapan penampilan.

Meski begitu, Ferguson menilai, performa Rooney secara umum secara gradual meningkat signifikan, seperti terlihat saat pertandingan Premier League melawan Sunderland, Minggu (26/12/2010).

"Wayne melakukan sejumlah percobaan. Ia sangat kurang beruntung dengan sejumlah tembakan yang digagalkan kiper lawan. Ia sedang menuju ke sana. Hal terpenting adalah ia bermain dengan baik," ujar Ferguson.

Pada laga yang berakhir 2-0 untuk "Setan Merah" itu, Rooney melepaskan dua tembakan akurat dari tiga usaha dan satu assist. Sepasang gol MU dicetak oleh Dimitar Berbatov. (TEL)

MILAN, KOMPAS.com - Manajer AC Milan, Massimiliano Allegri mengaku senang jika penyerang Manchester City, Mario Balotelli, bergabung dengan timnya. Namun, menurutnya, itu bukan hal mudah, mengingat Milan sudah memiliki sejumlah pemain top.

"Saya akan senang bila bisa melatih Balotelli. namun, transfer merupakan hal yang sulit direalisasikan karena kami sudah memiliki begtiu banyak pemain berkualitas unggul," ujarnya.

Balotelli bergabung dengan City dari Inter Milan, akhir musim lalu. Belum lama ini, ia mengaku tidak nyaman dengan sepak bola dan kultur Inggris dan meminta klub menjualnya pada jendela transfer kedua, Januari nanti, dengan klub Italia, sebagai targetnya.

Namun, tak lama setelah pertandingan Premier League, antara City dan Aston Villa, yang dimenangkan City 4-0, Selasa kemarin, Balotelli mengaku akan berusaha mengatasi masalahnya dan tidak akan pindah.

Sekalipun Balotelli memutuskan pergi dan City, Milan belum tentu bisa menjadi klub tepat karena ketatnya persaingan di lini depan, yang dipadati pemain top misalnya Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Antonio Cassano, Alexandre Pato, Robinho, dan Filippo Inzaghi. (SCN)

Malaysia goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat (in orange) and Indonesia's Cristian Gonzales vie for the ball in their AFF Suzuki Cup final second leg match at the Bung Karno Stadium yesterday. — Picture by Khairul Ghazali

The bravehearts in blue walked tall after conquering Indonesia in the cauldron of Bung Karno Stadium as skipper Safiq Rahim lifted the AFF Suzuki Cup after completing a 4-2 aggregate victory in Jakarta.

The 2-1 defeat in the second leg did not matter as the job had been done three days earlier in Bukit Jalil as Malaysia celebrated their first title in 14 years of trying in the competition. It was also Malaysia's first major success since the senior team won the 1989 Sea Games gold.

Safee Sali added to the excitement by finishing as top scorer with five goals and it was his cool finish eight minutes after the break which virtually settled the second leg after goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat had rescued Malaysia with a penalty save in the first half.

The defence, led by the stout Muslim Ahmad and Fadhli Shas, held firm against the waves of attack from the home team but K. Rajagobal's tactics were spot on to send 95,000 fans home disappointed.

A cagey start by both teams meant there little by way of goal-mouth action early on.

The closest Indonesia came to a goal in the first half was an 18th-minute penalty, awarded by Australian referee Peter Green after Sabre Mat Abu handled the ball.

Skipper Firman Utina, however, struck weakly as Fahmi made an easy save to his left.

Ashaari Samsuddin twice came close to killing the tie for Malaysia with a left-footer that went wide and a slalom and shot which Markus Harrison in the Indonesia goal punched clear.

But Ashaari's lack of defensive discipline often left Malaysia exposed on the flank and Indonesia nearly took advantage with Cristian Gonzales, Muhammad Ridwan and Arif Suyono all going close late on.

Had Amar Rohidan not headed off Ridwan's lob in first half stoppage time, with the aid of the cross bar, Malaysia would have trooped off at half-time with their lead slashed. Ashaari, however, proved a capable replacement for Amirulhadi Zainal when Malaysia scored against the run of play in the 53rd minute.

The Terengganu winger intercepted a pass and spotted Safee making a run through the middle and found the striker with a pin-point pass.

Safee took the ball in his stride, shrugged off the attention of the Indonesian centre-backs and fired the ball past a helpless Markus.

From then on it was about seeing out the game and protecting the four-goal even if there was more than half an hour to go and Indonesia throwing on Bambang Pamungkas in a sign of desperation. Mohammad Nasuha bagged an equaliser in the 71st minute off a rebound after Fahmi had saved a strike on goal before Ridwan's attempt was deflected into goal by Muslim three minutes from time but it was too little too late.